ALL RIGHTS GO TO KIERA CASS

A Good Book Never Ends: I'm going to try it out; let me know what you think. ;)

PREVIOUSLY...

All of a sudden she moved and was hugging me so tight I could barely breathe. Then she moved back quickly standing up and putting my robe over her and the slippers her maids had brought her ready to get up at any moment to flee out of the room. "Where are the dungeons Maxon?" Tears were falling down her cheeks as she looked over me. I shook my head at her, "I'm sorry Ame's I won't tell you that, not right now, I won't give her the opportunity to clear her name, or to look at you, she already has her sentence. Being the person who killed the king she will pay the ultimate price."

America was giving me a look of pure pain as she collapsed onto the floor, I know she was thinking of Marlee, and how she had been treated probably thinking about seeing Kriss the same way and I was sure she was thinking I was like him, like my dad. "I will show her mercy, she will be killed swiftly and with as little pain that I am allowed to give someone for this act. I will not force you to be there America, you shouldn't have to be put through this again." As I finished the sentence I was sitting down in front of her on the floor lifting her eyes to meet mine. Seeing her like this is what caused me to break down, for everything that happened today. I lifted America's body off the floor laying her back into the bed before following in behind her holding her tightly to my chest as she cried holding onto me as the tears poured out of her eyes. I held her until sleep took over our both our bodies and I drifted into a restless sleep.

Maxon's POV

It was 6am when a knock came to my bedroom door, I woke up easily thankful that I still had America in my arms and that she was still resting. After the night we had I was glad she was still asleep and I took a moment just to watch her, she looked so peaceful while she slept.

I reluctantly got out of bed, putting my robe on before opening the door a crack. Aspen was standing at the other end looking tired, he must have been standing outside my room all night keeping guard. "Sorry Maxon, Captain Markson wanted me to inform you that the public announcement of King Clarkson's death will be broadcast at 8am. Followed immediately by the execution of Kriss. The other ladies and the queen have already been informed, we allowed you and – Lady America to sleep in as long as possible."

I nodded my head, "Thank you, Aspen. Please get another guard to watch over the room, go get some rest while you can before the announcement. Oh and Aspen, can you please send someone with breakfast please?"

"Yes of course." Then he turned and walked down the hall.

I walked back into the room looking at America's sleeping form. I decided to let her sleep a little longer and I decided to have a quick shower. I had just stepped out of the hot water wrapping a towel around my waist walking back into my room. There was a knock on my door, right on time, I opened the door to find Mary standing there holding a tray of coffee and pastries, behind her was Anne holding clothes for America. They both blushed when they saw me and I realized I was only wearing a towel I stepped back behind the door hiding my naked torso. "Hello girls, America's still asleep, can you please just leave the tray on the bench at the end of the bed." They came into the room and placed the tray down and hung her dress on the back of the bathroom door before walking back out the door, curtseying as they left.

When they were gone I walked back over to the bed climbing on and whispering to America, "good morning Princess," and I gave her a kiss on the cheek as she stirred beneath me.

"Hmmmm," she said as she stretched and then opened her eyes. "Good morning, my prince." pulling me in for another kiss. Suddenly I was very aware that I was naked and only in a towel. I stood up quite abruptly and she giggled, oh how I loved that sound. I walked back into the bathroom putting on my bathrobe before returning out into the bedroom. America was standing at the edge of the bed in her silky nightgown and I couldn't resist walking up behind her and wrapping her up in my arms. God she smelt good, and the feel of her silky nightgown beneath my hands just made me want to caress her silky skin.

She turned around in my arms and wrapped her hands around my neck moving in slowly to kiss my neck moving upwards to my ear nibbling on my earlobe.

A low growl came from me when she did that. "You know if you're so hungry there is food sitting on the bench." I pointed to the end of the bed.

She stopped her kiss attack taking her arms off my shoulders and went over to the tray of food pouring herself a cup of coffee and offering one to me as well I took it gratefully, the little sleep we got last night was starting to catch up to me and as much as America made me forget the outside world I wouldn't be forgetting about what I had to do today for a long time.

We ate breakfast in silence, the air in the room was heavy with all that was going on and when we were done eating I gave her a kiss as she went into my bathroom to shower while I went in search of a suit. When I was in my closet I just stood there first thinking about how only a simple locked door away America was completely naked, I cleared my head of my wondering thoughts looking at the suits hung up, what suit am I supposed to wear to a funeral and an execution?

America's POV

Maxon woke me up this morning with a kiss when I rolled over and looked up at him, he had no shirt on and I unashamedly stared right at his chiseled chest saying good morning before pulling him in for a kiss. After a minute he pulled back hopping back off the bed and stumbling backwards a bit with how quick his movement was. Once he was standing I got a good look at him he was only wrapped in a towel and when I stood up out of bed I saw the way he was looking at me and it made me smile. I poured some coffee and we ate in silence and then he went into his gigantic closet to get dressed and I went into the bathroom for a shower, before I finished I heard the door open and I jumped thinking it was Maxon but it was just Anne coming to help do my hair and makeup. I wasn't sure where Mary and Lucy were but Anne made quick work without them anyways.

When she was done I was standing in an elegant long black velvet dress that had a sweetheart neckline and a full length bell sleeve, from the waist it fell simply to the floor. My hair was put into a simple half up half down style with small soft curls going down my back Anne had also incorporated a comb into my hair that had a piece of black lace to cover my face. My makeup was very simple too just a smoky eye and red lips.

Anne and I had made small talk while she helped me and I was thankful for the distraction, she told me why Mary and Lucy weren't here is because they were preparing the castle for all that was going on in the next few days. Anne quickly excused herself when she was done to go and help out.

I came out of the bathroom expecting to see Maxon waiting but he was nowhere in sight. I was making my way out of his room when I saw the light was still on in his wardrobe. "Maxon? Maxon are you still in here?"

He came out of the closet still in his bathrobe, he looked me over and coming back to reality and he walked over to me taking my hands in his and giving me a peck on the cheek. "You look incredible Ame's." and he gave me a sad smile.

"Maxon, are you okay?"

He shook his head at me and in that moment he looked like a small child and it broke my heart. I took him into my arms hugging him tightly to my chest consoling him. Then I got up and gave him a kiss going into his closet to find him a suit. It took me a minute to find one in his massive closet and when I returned he gave me a small smile of appreciation for knowing exactly what it was that he seemed to need. I gave him another kiss on the cheek before leaving him in his room to get dressed.

When I got into the hallway there were two guards who escorted me back down to the second floor. I went to Celeste's door but there was no answer I guess they are downstairs already so I turned to head back down the hall and then Elise's door opened and her and Celeste exited both also wearing long black dresses. They gave me a sad look before coming up to me and giving me a swinging hug trying to comfort me. It's the first time we have seen each other since dinner yesterday, before the rebel attack. Knowing that another one of us was to be publically humiliated today was effecting all of us, who would have thought that Kriss of all people was a rebel. It hurt knowing how close we had become since the beginning of the selection only to find out that she had been lying about everything the whole time.

We walked together to the staircase coming down the stairs was Maxon with his mom on his arm. She was a mess which was to be expected dressed with a long black veil covering her face. She tried to give us a smile but quickly went back to laying her head on Maxon's shoulder wiping the tears with her handkerchief as they walked down the stairs. We followed behind them to the room we always do the reports in.

Maxon was guided to what used to be his father's chair while his mother sat in her normal seat beside him, instead of being guided to our normal seats on the side of the stage there are seats set out to the right of Maxon's chair for each of us, now that he is to be king and the country still sees all of us as is possible suitors these are our new seats. Celeste and Elise went right to the seats leaving the spot closest to Maxon for me to sit in. When I took my seat he placed his hand in mine and I squeezed it to comfort him. The camera man counted down and then Gavril was in front of the camera speaking to the nation about the breaking news. He introduced Maxon and Queen Amberly before stepping aside for Maxon to address everyone.

"Good Morning Illea, I am here today not to address you as the Prince, not as a leader of a country but to address you as a son who has lost his father. Today we are faced with the very gravest of challenges as we mourn the death of a king, a husband and a father. We ask that the citizens of our great nation take a moment of silence today to remember my father. That through all the confusion, through all the pain and suffering we are calling into service all of our combined knowledge and tools in our power to wage this battle.
Yesterday we had another rebel attack here at the palace the rebels managed to get in and many of our brave soldiers were killed in honor protecting us. To all of you praying with us need to know that everything that can be done is being done to find those responsible for the attack. We have knowledge that one of the ladies in the selection Kriss Embers was a mole for the rebels and was the one who helped grant them access into the castle. Today she will be sentenced for her treason and her humiliation will be broadcast throughout the world. So I speak to you Illea as your future king, asking that you show courage, and know that we are doing everything in our power to find those responsible for this attack and show them the justice that they deserve."

With that the camera was back on Gavril as he announced the time that we would be live broadcasting Kriss' execution. Then the camera's shut off, Queen Amberly was the first one out of the room, presumably going back to her quarters to be alone.

Maxon got up from his seat followed by Celeste, Elise and myself. I mouthed 'I love you' as he took my hand and we were escorted out of the room.

Queen Amberly's POV

Getting up this morning had to of been one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, I felt that a piece of me was missing, as it was my heart. I knew that these rebel attacks were getting out of hand as of late but I had never imagined that Clarkson would ever be a casualty of these attacks. I slept in his chambers last night trying to feel like he was still here with me. I buried myself into the covers as I sobbed the smell of his cologne was in the air and I took several deep breaths trying to commit the scent into memory. Maids have been coming into my room trying to get me to eat but I wasn't even the slightest bit hungry.

When my head maid Angelika came into the room with my sister Adele my spirits were slightly lifted to see my sister. She crawled into the bed with me and just held me in silence giving me the comfort I needed in that moment. They helped me to get out of bed and get ready for the day ahead of me. Right before 9am Maxon knocked on the door and came in giving Adele a kiss and hug before hugging me as well and escorting me downstairs.

When we got down to the second floor the girls were just starting to make their way downstairs as well. To think of how much I had always wanted another child and knowing that soon I would have that opportunity was made all the harder knowing that I wouldn't have my husband here with me to see our son get married and to help him transition into becoming the king.

We entered the report room and Maxon was completely supporting my body as I tried my best not to sob, he sat me down into my chair before taking the seat to my right and putting his hand into mine for support. When Gavril came onto the stage and the camera's Maxon squeezed my hand a little harder before letting go to address the nation.

As I sat listening to his speech I have never been so proud of him. He stood strong and assertive as he spoke to all of Illea and the world I knew since he was just becoming a teenager that he would make a great king to our nation but it wasn't until I was sitting here watching him now, seeing what used to be his future becoming a reality that he had outdone himself and far surpassed what even I thought he would become, he would do our nation a great justice. As the prompters were turned off along with the camera's I excused myself to be alone for the rest of the day.

Kriss' POV

I was left strung up in those chains all night as three guards stood watch over me. By the time morning came my arms had gone numb from being strung up over my head and my feet were in incredible pain from trying to stretch out so that I could stand on the floor to relieve some pressure from my wrists. At 8:45am a guard named Taylor came into my cell wheeling in a television and turning it on so I could watch the report.

"Ha you think watching this will affect me?"

He looked at me with hard eyes, "We'll see miss Embers."

Then I started laughing hysterically at the idea of this being punishment. "Go tell the prince that when I die I will die with my head held high, I will die with dignity."

It was his turn to laugh. "You wait and see what they have planned for you and you may change your mind."

I scowled at him and did something incredibly unladylike; I spat in his face. He slapped me hard across the side of my cheek and I felt blood pool in my mouth.

With that he turned the TV on and left me alone. I tried to ignore it and just stare at the wall but when I saw Maxon on the screen with America sitting beside him I wanted to scream. I can't believe out of all the girls here he wants her. I mean she is a 5, she's not gorgeous like Celeste, she doesn't have connections like Elise, she's not sophisticated like I am but he chose her and seeing her sit beside him holding his hand as he addressed the nation made me want to puke.

I stood watching the report until it finished and Avery came back in to remove the TV as the three guards who had been watching me all night were relieved and three new guards were left to watch me until my 'sentencing' as Maxon put it to the world, but I knew that there would be no sentencing, I was going to be skipping that step and going right to die. With that knowledge I closed my eyes and sat back to wait.

And there you have it chapter 14, sorry it was kind of a filler chapter. More to come soon.

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